If I had talent, and had my own band, would want it to sound like Sully Sullivan’s band with James Est/b, Jon Harford/g, Mark Charles Hattersley/key, Tres Hidgens/dr, Ignacio Sobers/perc and a horn section of Tripp Sprague, April Leslie, Tomoka Nomura and Steve Dillard. The group sounds like they were weaned on the dry rub ribs of vintage STAX records, with Sullivan himself singing like he was nursed on gravel. The album here has a live in-your-face feel, as if you’re in some Memphis juke joint with everyone ignoring the “No Smoking” signs. Sullivan gives a dramatic buildup to Jackie Wilson’s “Higher and Higher” while swinging easy on Ray Charles’ “Hallelujah, I Love Her So”. The grits are cooking on “If You Love Me Like You Say” and the Brenton Wood dittie “Gimme Little Sign” is a fun packed hip hugger. This team works up a sweat throughout the album; you can feel the heat emanating from the speakers. WHEW!